Handbagged ***

Vaudeville Theatre, London
EXCERPT: "I felt it was a real let down that Handbagged wasn’t at all thought-provoking about one of the most controversial figures in history. Nor – in contrast to the outstanding King Charles III at the Almeida – did it examine with any interesting insight the role of the royal family in politics."

Plot summary:
The monarch - Liz.
Her most powerful subject - Maggie.

Two enduring icons born six months apart. One destined to rule, the other elected to lead. But when the stiff upper lip softened and the gloves came off, which one had the upper hand?

Presented by Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Tricycle London Productions

Cast and Creatives:
Written by Moira Buffini
Directed by Indhu Rubasingham
Designed by Richard Kent
Lighting by Oliver Fenwick
Sound by Carolyn Downing

Marion Bailey and Lucy Robinson - Queen Elizabeth
Stella Gonet and Fenella Woolgar - Margaret Thatcher
Neet Mohan
Jeff Rawle - Dennis & Lord Carrington

Thoughts:

I expected to find Moira Buffini’s Handbagged more impressive. But here is where reviews for West End and Fringe shows diverge: for Indhu Rubasingham’s original at the Tricycle, I would imagine the show would have warranted a star more. For Buffini’s script is fairly witty, and – by means of younger and older versions of the Queen and Maggie Thatcher, and meta-theatrical commentary – has some dramatic credibility. On the West End stage, however, we demand more, and the piece feels really quite static.

The plot centres around Liz and Maggie’s weekly meetings at the palace. The chronological approach lacks innovation, and there is no visual spectacle to speak of. The production is perfectly fine and enjoyable, but its success relies too heavily on the obvious draw of seeing Thatcher and the Queen realised onstage, and superb mimicry by the two Mrs Ts (Stella Gonet and Fenella Woolgar) and, in particular, Marion Bailey as the elder Queen. I found Lucy Robinson as the younger Queen didn’t have the vocal delivery or distinctive mannerisms that made watching the other three performers so enjoyable. And although Jeff Rawle was reasonably adept at changing personas to play the myriad of supporting roles needed as we whistled through history, Neet Mohan was more disappointing (his Scottish accent was particularly dire – and his self-aware confession of its shortcomings made his inadequacy no more palatable).

What was most disappointing about the play, however, can be laid at Buffini’s feet. I felt it was a real let down that Handbagged wasn’t at all thought-provoking about one of the most controversial figures in history. Nor – in contrast to the outstanding King Charles III at the Almeida – did it examine with any interesting insight the role of the royal family in politics.